Every Friday I try and feature artwork from a classic of science
fiction
cinema or television.
This week's "Flashback
Friday" post is on Battlestar Galactica (1978).

Jean-Pierre Dorléac is a professional costume designer who's worked on classic science fiction projects like Quantum Leap (1989), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) and Somewhere in Time (1980). He was nominated for an Oscar, a Tony, several Drama Critics and Sci-fi awards and nine Emmys. In 1979 his costume designs won an "Outstanding Costume Design for a Series" Emmy for the Battlestar Galactica
episode "Furlon" (also known as "The Man with Nine Lives"), that guest
starred the great Fred Astaire as "Chameleon." His unique style of
melding classical looks with modern sensibilities earned him an
"Excellence in Period TV Design" from the Costume Designers Guild in
2002.

Update: Dorléac has contacted me to say that Probert did not do the design for the Cylon costumes.

Quotes from Mr. Dorleac's memoir, The Naked Truth:

“I don’t like the look of the Cylons especially,” Glen declared, standing up. “I want them to be far more majestic, not android-like as the storyboard guy [Ralph McQuarrie] drew them.”
“They should look like chrome fenders on a car,” Leslie commented. “Highly polished and cold.”
“And very tall!” Glen declared. “I want the tallest stunt men we can
find to wear them, and I want their boots built up to make them appear even taller.”
“What about shooting them,” I asked. “Won’t that be difficult, and won’t they reflect the lights?”
“Good question,” Leslie said in his pleasing manner, smiling. “We’ll talk to the cinematographer. I’m sure it can be resolved. There’s always a way.”
“I’ll have a couple sketches for you tomorrow afternoon,” I avowed, gathering up my things to leave.
“Sounds great,” Glen said shaking my hand with a reassuring smile.

Together with Haleen Holt, a union assistant costume designer sketch artist, we did over a dozen pencil versions of the Cylon before Glen and Leslie approved several, then eventually three. After various meetings we had with special effects, I drew up a final sketch and Haleen colored it. Immediately after Glen saw it, all smiles broke loose.

Thanks Melissa! I loved the show too. It's all Google and after a while you figure out what to look for and how to dig through the results. I get a lot of dead ends, but every now and then I hit it! I've given up hope on finding "Automan" concept art. :)

What is Film Sketchr?

This blog is about the often unseen world of concept design and storyboarding in science-fiction films and television. These artists work to bring the vision of the writer and director to life. My hope is you'll learn a little bit more about them. If you're an artist I hope you find inspiration from the talented artists featured.

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The images featured are the property of the respective artists and companies. They are shown to feature and demonstrate the artistic talents of the artists. I'm not affiliated in any way. No implication of copyright is implied in their use.